\S 


/ 


^oariJ  of  JoHign  pissioas  of  t^c  |ieforni£b  Cliiirtb  in  ginuma. 


MANUAL 


OP'  THE 


BOARD  OF  FOREIGN  MISSIONS 


OF  THE 


\ 


..  REFORMED  CHURCH  IN  AMERICA,  - 


FOR  THE  USE  OF  MISSIONARY  CANDIDATES 
AND  MISSIONARIES  UNDER  APPOINTMENT 
AND  IN  THEIR  FIELDS  OF  LABOR. 


PREPARED  AND  PUBLISHED  BY  THE  BOARD. 


NEW  YORK: 

Press  of  Rogers  &  Sherwood,  21  and  23  Harclav  St. 

1885. 


Soarjtrnf  J'0rtijgn  pksbng  of  ll^e  Jjeformeb  in  gmwritH. 


BOARD 

MANUAL 

OF  THE 

i 

OF  FOREIGN  MISSIONS 

OF  THE 

REFORMED  CHURCH  IN  AMERICA, 

FOR  THE  USE  OF  MISSIONARY  CANDIDATES 
AND  MISSIONARIES  UNDER  APPOINTMENT 
AND  IN  THEIR  FIELDS  OF  LABOR. 

PREPARED  AND  PUBLISHED  BY  THE  BOARD. 


NEW  YORK; 

Press  of  Rogers  &  Sherwood,  21  and  23  Barclay  St. 

1885. 


MANUAL 


This  pamphlet  is  intended  for  the  use  of  the  Board  and 
its  Missionaries,  and  also  of  persons  desiring  to  engage 
in  the  Missionary  work  under  its  direction.  It  will  be 
found  to  define,  as  nearly  as  may  be,  the  qualifications 
of  Missionaries  and  their  relations  to  the  Board,  and  to 
furnish  answers  to  many  inquiries  concerning  business 
and  other  matters.  Pains  have  been  taken  to  make  it  as 
complete  and  explicit  as  possible.  Those  interested,  es¬ 
pecially  candidates  for  appointment,  are  requested  to 
make  themselves  familiar  with  its  contents.  Any  ques¬ 
tions  not  provided  for  therein,  will  receive  the  careful  con¬ 
sideration  of  the  Board  as  they  may,  from  time  to  time, 
arise. 


I.  Missionaries  and  their  Qualifications. 

Regularly  ordained  ministers  of  the  Gospel  are  called 
Missiotiaries :  all  others,  licensed  preachers,  physicians, 
teachers,  etc.,  and  all  ladies,  whether  married  or  single, 
Assista7tt  Missionaries. 

Qualifications  for  Missionary  service  are  both  general 
and  special. 

I.  General  Qualifications. 

The  general  qualifications  do  not  differ  materially  from 
those  which  would  render  a  minister  or  other  Christian 
worker  useful  and  acceptable  at  home.  They  are  such  as 
these — devoted  and  consistent  piety  and  consecration  to 
Christ  and  His  glory  ;  a  blameless  life  and  good  reputa¬ 
tion  ;  suitable  age,  sound  health,  and  a  constitution  un¬ 
impaired  ;  good  intellectual  ability,  developed  and  disci¬ 
plined  by  education  ;  a  reasonable  aptitude  for  and  facility 
in  acquiring  languages  and  aptness  to  teach  ;  good  tem¬ 
per,  sound  judgment,  tact,  adaptability  to  men  and  cir¬ 
cumstances,  cheerfulness,  ability  to  work  in  harmony 
with  others,  persistent  energy  in  the  execution  of  plans 
once  formed  and  adopted,  and  “  a  large  share  of  good 
common  sense.” 


4 


MANUAL. 


It  may,  in  general,  be  said  also  that  any  gift,  talent  or 
acquirement  that  would  be  likely  to  add  to  usefulness  at 
home  will  add  at  least  as  much  abroad,  and  the  very  high¬ 
est  mental  power,  intellectual  attainment,  personal  cul¬ 
ture  and  refinement,  executive  ability,  organizing  or  ad¬ 
ministrative  capacity,  fertility  in  resources  and  expedients, 
eloquence,  will  find  ample  scope  in  Missionary  fields,  that 
nowhere  are  they  more  needed  and  nowhere  will  their  ex¬ 
ercise  bring  larger  rewards  to  the  servant  or  greater  glory 
to  the  Master. 


2.  Special  Qualifications. 

These  have  reference  to  the  special  form  or  department 
of  service  in  which  the  individual  may  be  or  desire  to  be 
engaged.  Those  who  expect  to  be  specially  engage’d  in 
teaching  should  have  experience  and  should  have  shown 
special  fitness  in  actual  service. 

A  Missionary  physicia7i  should,  in  all  cases,  have  what 
would  in  this  country  be  esteemed  a  competent  medical 
education,  and,  in  particular,  should  be  familiar,  if  possi¬ 
ble,  with  the  practice  of  surgery  and  the  compounding  of 
medicines  and  prescriptions.  It  is  important  that  he  be 
acquainted  with  the  natural  sciences,  especially  those 
allied  with  the  study  and  practice  of  his  profession,  and 
that  he  be  determined  to  make  his  professional  work 
subservient  to  the  progress  of  the  Gospel.  It  is  desirable 
that  he  be  somewhat  well  read  in  Christian  theology  and 
familiar  with  the  doctrines  and  standards  of  the  Reformed 
Church. 


II.  Applications,  Testimonials  and  Appointment. 

In  view  of  the  serious  consequences  to  the  Church  and 
to  the  individual  of  a  possible  mistake  in  so  important  a 
matter,  the  Board  desires,  and  regards  itself  as  solemnlv 
bound,  before  appointing  any  person,  to  obtain  as  full  a 
knowledge  as  possible  of  his  character  and  qualifications 
for  the  work  in  which  he  seeks  to  be  engaged.  Candi¬ 
dates  in  their  applications,  and  friends  and  others  in  their 
testimonials,  are  earnestly  entreated  to  exercise  the  great¬ 
est  carefulness  to  be  conscientiously  accurate  in  state¬ 
ment  and  true  to  their  convictions.  All  such  communi¬ 
cations  will  be  regarded  as  strictly  confidential  by  the 
Board. 


MANUAL. 


5 


Applications. 

1.  All  applications  for  appointment  as  a  Missionary  or 
Assistant  Missionary  must  be  made  by  the  person  seek¬ 
ing  such  appointment  in  his  own  handwriting,  addressed 
to  the  Corresponding  Secretary,  and  shall  state  concisely, 
but  distinctly,  his  age,  native  place,  residence,  early  educa¬ 
tion,  previous  and  present  e7nployments^  his  state  of  health 
at  the  present  thne  a7td  in  the  past ;  the  le7igth  of  thne  he 
has  been  a  7ne7nber  of  the  Church,  and  his  77iotives  in  desir¬ 
ing  to  becoTne  a  Missionary ;  his  expectation  in  reference 
to  Tnarriage  {if  single')  ;  the  field  he  would  prefer,  and  the 
reasons  for  such  preference,  and  the  depart7ne7tt  of  work  in 
which  he  wishes  to  engage  ;  and  such  applications  should 
be  made  sufficiently  early  to  leave  full  time  for  the  nec¬ 
essary  preparations  to  be  made,  and  for  the  Executive 
Committee  to  become  acquainted  with  the  candidates  for 
Missionary  service,  and  to  decide  on  their  field. 

2.  If  the  applicant  be  in  a  Theological  Seminary,  Medi¬ 
cal  or  other  School,  the  proper  time  for  the  presentation 
of  his  application  is  at  or  near  the  commencement  of  his 
last  year  of  study.  In  other  cases  it  is  desirable  that  it 
be  made  at  least  six  months  before  preparation  is  com¬ 
pleted  or  the  probable  time  of  departure  if  appointed. 

3.  The  applications  of  those  who  are  or  who  expect  to 
be  the  wives  of  Missionaries  are  usually  presented  through 
their  husbands,  present  or  intended,  and  should  embrace, 
so  far  as  they  are  applicable,  the  same  particulars.  In  the 
case  of  single  women  who  desire  to  devote  themselves  to 
work  among  their  sisters  in  foreign  lands,  substantially 
the  same  course  should  be  followed  as  in  the  case  of  male 
Missionaries. 


TestiTnonials. 

I.  In  addition  to  the  personal  application  of  the  indi¬ 
vidual,  the  following  testimonials  shall  be  required,  viz. : 
from  his  pastor,  from  the  physician  of  his  fa7nily,  or  who 
may  have  attended  him, — from  his  instructors,  separately 
or  jointly, — from  persons  of  intellige7ice  and  piety,  who 
have  known  him  well ;  and  such  testimonials  shall  relate 
to  his  Christian  character  and  standing  as  a  member  of 
the  Church, — his  natural  talents  and  temper,  and  the 
probability  of  working  happily  with  others;  his  judgment, 
discretion  and  common  sense, — his  literary  and  theologi¬ 
cal  attainments,  or  his  professional  ability  or  skill,  ac¬ 
cording  to  the  department  in  which  he  is  to  labor, — his 


6 


MANUAL. 


habits  of  improving  time,  and  opportunities  of  useful¬ 
ness, — his  personal  habits  of  economy,  and  those  of  his 
family,  if  he  have  one, — his  facility  in  acquiring  influence 
with  others,  and  using  it  for  good, — his  aptness  in  acquir¬ 
ing  languages,  his  personal  appearance,  manners  and  ad¬ 
dress,  any  peculiarities  of  character,  habits,  constitution  ; 
his  fitness  for  a  particular  field,  or  peculiarities  as  a 
preacher. 

2.  The  testimonials  of  ordained  ministers  and  theo¬ 
logical  students  should  in  all  cases,  include  the  certificate 
of  membership  and  recommendation  of  the  Classis  or 
other  ecclesiastical  body  to  which  the  applicant  belongs. 

3.  If  the  appointment  sought  be  that  of  2l  physician  or 
teacher,  the  testimonials  should  embrace  letters  from  in‘- 
structors,  or  from  intelligent  persons  who  are  familiar 
with  the  professional  as  well  as  personal  character  and 
standing,  qualifications,  work  and  success  of  the  appli¬ 
cant. 

4.  In  the  case  of  a  female,  so  much  of  the  above  as  is 
applicable,  and  the  testimonial  of  such  Christian  females 
as  have  known  her  intimately,  will  be  required.  It  is  de¬ 
sirable  to  have  young  women,  so  far  as  possible,  recom¬ 
mended  for  the  work  by  the  Woman’s  Board  and  the 
Auxiliaries  or  Ladies’  Societies  that  may  be  acquainted 
with  them.  The  final  decision  and  appointment  will, 
however,  in  all  cases  remain  with  this  Board. 

5.  In  every  case  special  care  should  be  exercised,  both 
in  application  and  testimonials,  to  state  fully  and  frankly 
all  facts  bearing  upon  the  question  of  health.  Before  the 
appointment  a  blank  form  of  certificate  will  be  furnished 
the  applicant,  its  inquiries  to  be  answered  in  writing  by 
the  family  physician  or  other  responsible  physician  who 
is  acquainted  with  the  person. 

In  no  case  will  any  one  be  appointed  who  would  not  be 
recommended  for  acceptance  by  the  examining  physician 
of  a  reputable  Life  Insurance  Company.  Should  the 
Board  deem  it  desirable,  every  applicant  will  be  required 
to  undergo  an  examination  by  its  own  examining  physi¬ 
cian,  whose  certificate  shall  be  submitted  with  other  tes¬ 
timonials. 


Appointment. 

I.  If  the  preceding  requisites  are  complied  with,  and 
the  Executive  Committee  deem  the  case  such  as  to  en¬ 
courage  hope  of  usefulness,  the  applicant  shall  visit  the 
Executive  Committee,  to  give  them  opportunity  to  be¬ 
come  acquainted  with  him,  and  no  appointment  shall  be 


MANUAL. 


7 


made  of  persons  in  this  country  without  previous  per¬ 
sonal  interview. 

2  The  Executive  Committee  shall  not  be  held  responsi¬ 
ble  for  any  expenses  or  debts  of  an  applicant  for  Mission¬ 
ary  appointment,  while  it  may  counsel  him  in  meeting 
them,  that  every  appointee  may  leave  the  country  free  of 
debt. 

3.  When  an  applicant  is  accepted,  the  selection  of  the 
field  or  department  of  labor  shall  in  ordinary  cases  be 
left  with  the  Executive  Committee. 

4.  When  an  appointment  is  made  it  shall  be  under¬ 
stood  to  be  for  life,  subject  to  the  developments  of  Provi¬ 
dence. 

5.  When  an  appointment  is  made,  the  Missionary  shall 
hold  himself  in  readiness  to  receive  the  instructions  of 
the  Committee. 

-  6.  Candidates  who  have  received  their  appointment 
cannot  begin  to  draw  upon  the  Board  for  their  expenses 
until  they  actually,  and  by  direction  of  the  Executive 
Committee,  enter  upon  its  service. 

7.  It  is  the  standing  rule  of  the  Board  not  to  pay  any 
part  of  the  expenses  incurred  in  the  regular  course  of 
preparatory  study,  whether  theological,  medical  or  other. 

8.  When  a  Missionary  has  received  official  notice  of  his 
appointment,  if  he  be  not  already  ordained,  it  is  left  with 
himself  and  the  Classis  with  which  he  is  connected,  to 
arrange  for  his  ordination.  It  is  desirable  that  the  time, 
place  and  all  the  circumstances  should  be  such  as,  in  the 
highest  degree  possible,  to  awaken  or  increase  interest 
in  the  cause  and  work  of  Missions. 

Missionaries  or  Assistant  Missionaries  who  maybe  ap¬ 
pointed  from  other  bodies,  will  be  expected  to  connect 
themselves  with  some  Classis  or  Church  within  the  bounds 
of  the  Reformed  Church. 

9.  In  all  cases  where  marriage  is  contemplated,  it  should, 
for  obvious  reasons,  be  one  of  the  last  preparatory  meas¬ 
ures.  Where  a  Missionary  has  a  long  journey  before 
him,  it  should  in  no  case  take  place  till  the  time  of  de¬ 
parture  is  fixed  and  near, 

III.  After  Appointment. 

In  such  cases  as  may  be  deemed  expedient,  the  Com¬ 
mittee  will  exercise  the  right  to  employ  Missionaries  as 
agents,  before  their  embarkation,  for  the  purpose  of  in¬ 
troducing  them  in  the  most  acceptable  manner  to  ^on- 


lo.  Each  single  lady  going  out  as  a  Missionary,  shall 
be  required  to  sign  an  engagement,  in  the  presence  of  a 
witness,  binding  herself,  in  case  of  voluntarily  relinquish¬ 
ing  her  situation  within  five  years  after  her  arrival  in  a 
foreign  land,  to  repay  to  the  Board  the  sum  expended 
by  them  for  her  passage  and  outfit.  She  also  shall  give 
the  Board  twelve  months’  notice  of  any  intended  change 
or  forfeit  her  support  for  that  time. 


8 


MANUAL. 


gregations,  of  interesting  the  people  in  behalf  of  Missions, 
of  promoting  their  own  zeal  in  the  cause,  and  of  acquaint¬ 
ing  them  with  the  Committee’s  method  of  operation, 
and  the  obstacles  with  which  they  are  obliged  to  contend 
in  supporting  Foreign  Missions.  The  Committee  will  also 
reserve  the  same  right  to  employ  all  Missionaries  who 
may  return  home  on  a  visit,  as  agents  in  their  behalf.  In 
all  such  cases  the  duty  will  be  assigned  by  the  Com¬ 
mittee,  and  proper  allowances  made  for  the  services  per¬ 
formed. 


Preparation  for  Departure. 

1.  The  time  of  setting  out  on  the  journey  is  to  be  set¬ 
tled  by  conference  with  the  Secretary,  with  the  approval 
of  the  Committee.  Timely  arrangements  should  be  made, 
especially  in  the  purchase  of  such  things  as  are  needed. 

2.  A  Passport,  obtained  from  the  Secretary  of  State  at 
Washington,  is  important  and  in  many  cases  indispens¬ 
able.  It  may  be  obtained  through  a  Notary  Public,  and 
every  Missionary  should  attend  to  this  matter  for  himself 
at  an  early  date  after  his  appointment. 

3.  The  Missionary  is  expected  to  purchase  his  own  out¬ 
fit,  and  prepare  all  his  parcels  for  shipment.  The  outfit 

'  of  a  Missionary  consists  of  the  clothing,  bedding,  etc., 
for  use  on  arriving  at  his  place  of  destination,  together 
with  a  select  private  library,  and  the  necessary  furniture 
for  housekeeping.  Toward  the  purchase  of  outfit,  the 
Board  grants  for  a  married  Missionary  and  his  wife  $600, 
and  for  a  single  man  or  woman  $300  each,  where  such 
sums  are  needed.  It  is  recommended  that  this  outfit 
grant  be  used  with  economy,  and  a  considerable  portion 
of  it  be  reserved  for  purchases  to  be  made  after  arriving 
at  the  station. 

4.  The  Board  will  bear  all  necessary  traveling  expenses 
of  the  Missionary  from  his  residence  to  the  place  of  em¬ 
barkation,  as  well  as  those  of  the  journey  to  his  station, 
by  a  direct  route.  Should  this  be  departed  from  and  ad¬ 
ditional  expense  incurred,  the  increased  cost  must  be 
borne  by  the  Missionary.  The  Board  will  also  pay  the 
cost  of  freight  of  outfit  to  the  place  of  destination  to  the 
extent  only  of  6  tons,  ship  measurement,  forty  cubic  feet 
to  a  ton. 

5.  Money,  articles  of  clothing,  etc.,  furnished  to  Mis¬ 
sionaries  by  personal  friends,  are  not  to  be  considered  as 
a  part  of  a  Missionary  outfit,  unless  the  donors  expect 
them  to  be  acknowledged  by  the  Board  as  gifts  to  the 


MANUAL. 


9 


cause  of  Missions.  In  this  case  they  will  be  charged  as 
part  of  the  outfit  allowance. 

6.  The  outfit  of  a  Missionary  is  regarded  as  the  prop¬ 
erty  of  the  Board,  so  far  as  purchased  by  its  funds ;  and 
in  the  case  of  a  Missionary  retiring  from  the  field  within 
a  limited  period,  for  other  cause  than  the  failure  of  health, 
it  is  expected  that  an  equitable  return  will  be  made  to  the 
Board — due  regard  being  had  to  expenses  incurred  and 
services  rendered. 

7.  Missionaries  should  keep  a  full  and  accurate  account 
of  all  moneys  received  from  the  Board,  and  the  manner 
in  which  they  have  been  expended,  noting  particularly 
what  is  for  outfit,  and  what  for  traveling  expenses.  A 
brief  abstract  of  this  account  should  be  given  to  the 
Treasurer  before  embarkation. 

8.  On  being  advised  of  the  day  fixed  for  embarkation, 
the  Missionary  will  proceed  to  the  port  appointed,  so  as 
to  reach  it  at  least  three  days  before  the  time  of  sailing. 

I7t  the  Field. 

1.  On  the  arrival  of  the  Missionary  at  the  station  to 
which  he  has  been  appointed,  he  shall  report  himself  as 
soon  as  possible  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Mission  or  to  the 
Missionary  Board  of  the  station,  and  shall  be  subject  to 
all  the  laws  and  regulations  established  for  the  govern¬ 
ment  of  the  same.  He  shall  also  furnish  the  Treasurer 
of  the  Mission  with  an  account  of  all  money  received 
and  expenses  incurred  for  the  journey,  and  forward  a 
copy  of  the  same  to  the  Board. 

2.  Each  person  appointed  to  a  Missionary  station,  shall 
be  allowed  for  himself  and  family  such  salary  as  in  the 
judgment  of  the  Committee  is  required  by  his  or  their 
circumstances,  and  the  cost  of  living  in  the  country  to 
which  the  appointment  is  made  ;  such  salary  shall  be 
subject  to  revision  from  time  to  time,  and  there  may 
be  an  increase,  reduction  or  withdrawal,  as  the  Commit¬ 
tee  may  decide.  At  present  the  salary  of  each  married 
Missionary  in  China  is  $1,100  ;  in  India  and  Japan  $1,200. 
Of  each  single  male  Missionary  in  all  the  Missions  $700 ; 
and  of  each  single  female  Missionary  $600. 

3.  Salaries  shall  commence  from  the  day  of  the  arrival 
of  the  Missionaries  at  the  stations  to  which  they  are  ap¬ 
pointed,  and  shall  cease  on  the  day  of  their  departure 
therefrom. 

4.  In  addition  to  the  salary,  a  house  is  provided.  If  the 
Board  own  no  house  at  the  station  to  which  he  is  as- 


10 


MANUAL. 


signed,  a  sufficient  allowance  is  made  to  each  Missionary 
for  house-rent,  the  design,  in  all  cases,  being  so  to  fix 
salary  and  allowances  as  to  secure  the  comfortable  sup¬ 
port  of  Missionaries  while  in  the  service  of  the  Board,  and 
no  more.  To  this  end,  an  additional  allowance  (of  $ioo 
at  present),  is  made  for  each  child  under  i8  years  of  age 
abroad,  or  when  accompanying  its  parents  at  home. 

5.  The  particular  station  and  work  of  each  Missionary 
is,  in  general,  assigned  by  the  Mission  and  not  by  the 
Board.  Each  Missionary  will  be  expected  to  accept  the 
position  thus  assigned  him.  This  rule  applies,  also,  to 
Assistant  Missionaries,  both  male  and  female. 

6.  Each  Missionary  should  give  his  first  and  special  at¬ 
tention  to  the  work  of  acquiring  accurately  the  language 
of  the  country  to  which  he  is  sent,  and,  except  under  the 
pressure  of  very  great  necessity,  no  other  work  should  be 
allowed  to  interfere  with  this.  In  beginning  and  prose¬ 
cuting  their  studies  and  in  the  care  and  preservation  of 
their  health,  new  Missionaries  should  follow  the  counsel 
of  the  older  and  more  experienced  members  of  the  Mis¬ 
sion.  Due  attention  to  this  point  will  promote  usefulness 
and  prevent  many  failures. 

7.  Every  Missionary  is  expected  to  correspond  freely 
and  as  frequently  as  possible  with  the  Board,  and  give 
such  information  relating  to  his  work,  as  may  be  made 
useful  and  profitable  in  interesting  and  encouraging  the 
Church  at  home.  Though  this  may  make  a  considerable 
draft  upon  the  Missionary’s  time  and  strength,  no  work 
is  of  greater  importance. 

8.  No  application  shall  be  made  by  any  Missionary  to 
Churches,  Societies,  or  individuals  at  home  for  funds  for 
any  special  purpose,  without  the  sanction  of  the  Com¬ 
mittee  previously  obtained  ;  and  all  contributions  in  an¬ 
swer  to  such  appeals,  duly  sanctioned,  must  pass  through 
the  Treasurer  of  the  Board. 

9.  No  Missionary  shall  engage  in  any  secular  employ¬ 
ment,  nor  in  any  religious  employment  distinct  from  that 
of  the  Mission  to  which  he  has  been  appointed,  without 
first  obtaining  the  consent  of  the  Mission,  and  holding 
the  same  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Executive  Com¬ 
mittee.  If  such  work  brings  him  any  pecuniary  compen¬ 
sation,  the  money  so  received  should  be  turned  over  to 
the  treasury  of  the  Mission  and  reported  to  the  Board,  so 
long  as  he  continues  to  draw  his  usual  salary. 

10.  Medical  Missionaries  shall  constantly  make  their 
practice  of  medicine  among  the  natives  conduce  to  the 
advancement  of  the  Missionary  work.  If  receiving  a  fixed 


MANUAL. 


11 


salary  from  the  Board,  any  fees  which  they  may  receive 
for  medical  service  should  be  turned  over  to  the  Treas¬ 
urer  of  the  Mission  and  reported  to  the  Board. 


Recall  or  Return. 

1.  Whenever  the  continuance  of  any  Missionary  at  a 
foreign  station  shall  be  deemed  inexpedient  in  the  judg¬ 
ment  of  the  Committee,  they  will  reserve  the  right  to  can¬ 
cel  the  appointment,  and  will  be  at  the  expense  of  the 
return  to  this  country  of  the  person  whose  appointment 
shall  have  been  so  annulled. 

2.  Missionaries  are  expected  conscientiously  to  care 
for  their  health,  taking  such  rests  and  vacations  in  the 
vicinity  of  their  Mission  fields  as  are  necessary  for  this 
purpose  and  approv^ed  by  the  Mission.  Occasionally, 
also,  a  visit  to  the  United  States  may  be  desirable  ;  but  no 
period  has  been  fixed  for  such  furlough.  Each  case  must 
be  determined  according  to  its  necessity  and  with  a  wise 
reference  to  the  best  interests  of  the  work  at  home  and 
abroad. 

3.  When  any  Missionary  or  Assistant  Missionary  of 
the  Board  shall  desire,  on  account  of  ill  health  or  any 
other  cause,  to  return  to  the  United  States,  he  is  required 
to  obtain  permission  from  the  Executive  Committee  so 
to  do,  when  it  is  practicable,  (always  sending  with  his  re¬ 
quest  the  opinion  of  his  Mission),  and  when  impractic¬ 
able  to  obtain  such  permission,  he  is  required  to  obtain 
the  consent  of  his  Mission,  which  consent  shall  always 
be  subject  to  the  revision  of  the  Executive  Committee, 
and  the  expenses  of  the  return  will  be  borne  by  the  Com¬ 
mittee,  when  such  return  is  with  their  approval. 

4.  When  Missionaries  shall  visit  the  United  States  on 
leave,  the  Committee  will  make  such  allowance  for  their 
support  during  the  period  of  such  visit  as  the  circum¬ 
stances  of  each  case  may  require,  and  as  the  means  of 
the  Board  allow. 

2.  When  Missionaries  or  Assistant  Missionaries  return 
home,  their  connection  with  the  Board  shall  cease  as 
soon  as  there  is  no  longer  a  reasonable  probability  of 
their  returning  to  their  missionary  labor. 

6.  The  grants  made  to  returned  Missionaries  and  As¬ 
sistant  Missionaries  shall,  in  all  ordinary  cases,  be  charged 
to  the  Missions  to  which  they  last  belonged,  as  a  part  of 
the  expenses  of  said  Missions. 

7.  As  a  rule  no  second  outfit  is  allowed.  But  Mission¬ 
aries  returning  to  their  fields  after  a  furlough  are  some- 


12 


MANUAL. 


times  allowed,  in  the  discretion  of  the  Committee,  a  sum 
equal  to  half  the  amount  of  the  original  outfit,  if  neces¬ 
sary,  as 

8.  When  Missionaries  return  to  their  fields,  the  Board 
will  defray  their  traveling  expenses  from  their  home  or 
place  of  residence  by  the  usual  route  of  travel.  The 
Board,  however,  does  not  engage  to  pay  the  traveling  ex¬ 
penses  of  children  who  are  returning  to  the  Missionary 
field  after  they  have  reached  the  age  of  fourteen  years, 
unless  they  return  as  Missionaries.  In  this  case  they 
shall  be  subject  to  the  same  rules  for  appointment  as 
other  Missionaries. 

9.  When  superannuated  or  disabled  Missionaries  or 
Assistant  Missionaries,  or  the  widows  of  Missionaries  or 
Assistant  Missionaries,  return  to  this  country  with  the 
approbation  of  the  Executive  Committee,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  Committee  to  make  such  grants  towards 
their  support,  as  the  circumstances  of  each  case  shall  re¬ 
quire,  and  as  shall  best  comport  with  the  missionary 
character  and  the  interests  of  the  missionary  cause; — it 
being  understood, 

I  St.  That  no  pensions  or  annuities  are  to  be  settled  on 
any  person,  and  that  no  grant  is  to  be  made,  except  in 
extraordinary  cases,  for  any  other  than  the  current  year. 

2d.  That,  except  in  extraordinary  cases,  after  the  lapse 
of  a  year  from  their  return,  no  grant  is  to  be  made  to  re¬ 
turned  Missionaries  or  Assistant  Missionaries,  who  are 
neither  superannuated,  nor  disabled  by  sickness,  and  yet 
are  not  expected  to  resume  their  missionary  labors. 

3d.  That  Missionaries  and  Assistant  Missionaries,  who 
return  on  account  of  sickness,  and  recover  their  healtu, 
and  remain  in  this  country,  are  no  longer  to  be  regarded 
as  having  claims  upon  the  Board  for  pecuniary  assistance. 

4th.  That  Missionaries  and  Assistant  Missionaries, 
who  return  on  account  of  sickness,  and  partially  recover 
their  health  so  as  to  attend  to  the  ordinary  business  of 
life  for  a  number  of  years,  are  not  to  be  regarded,  when 
they  again  lose  their  health,  as  having  the  same  claims 
upon  the  Board  as  they  had  when  they  first  arrived. 

Children  of  Missionaries. 

I.  When  Missionaries  or  Assistant  Missionaries  desire 
to  send  their  children  to  this  country  for  education,  and 
when  it  is  decided  in  a  manner  conformable  to  the  rules 
and  usages  of  the  Board  that  the  children  may  come,  the 
arrangements  for  the  passage,  so  far  as  they  involve  ex- 


MANUAL. 


13 


pense,  shall  have  the  concurrence  of  the  Mission,  and  the 
allowance,  extraordinar3''  cases  excepted,  shall  be  only 
for  a  passage  direct  to  this  country,  and  such  clothing 
and  stores  as  may  be  required  for  the  voyage. 

2.  When  the  children  arrive  in  this  country,  the  Execu¬ 
tive  Committee  will  see  that  they  have  a  suitable  con¬ 
veyance  to  the  places  where  they  are  to  be  educated  or 
to  reside ;  and  the  Committee  will  make  grants,  on  ap¬ 
plications  from  the  parents  or  guardians,  to  an  amount 
not  exceeding  ^150  a  year  for  each  child,  until  the  chil¬ 
dren  are  eighteen  years  old.  In  special  cases,  and  upon 
application,  the  Committee  is  authorized  to  continue 
this  grant,  for  educational  purposes,  to  the  age  of  twenty 
years. 

3.  Children,  who  are  left  orphans,  and  without  a  suit¬ 
able  home  in  the  Mission,  or  responsible  guardians,  will 
receive  the  immediate  and  kind  consideration  of  the 
Committee,  who  will  make  an  arrangement  for  their  re¬ 
turn  home,  and  provide  for  them  the  best  guardianship 
in  their  power. 

4.  The  allow'ances  made  on  account  of  the  children  of 
living  missionaries  or  Assistant  Missionaries,  wherever 
the  children  may  be  educated,  shall  be  charged  to  the 
Mission  to  which  the  parents  belong ;  and  the  allowances 
made  on  account  of  orphan  children  shall,  in  ordinary 
cases,  be  charged  to  the  Mission  to  which  the  parents 
belonged  at  the  time  of  their  decease. 

IV.  Constitution,  etc.,  of  Missions. 

1.  When  three  or  more  Missionaries  are  located  near 
each  other,  they  shall  organize  themselves  for  business  as 
a  Mission,  by  the  choice  of  a  President,  a  Secretary,  and 
Treasurer,  which  form  shall  continue  (even  when  they 
may  organize  a  Classis)  until  they  require  no  further  aid ; 
but  no  native  shall  take  part  in  the  action  of  such  Mission. 

2.  The  Treasurer,  or  disbursing  officer  of  each  Mission, 
is  required  to  forward  to  the  Committee,  at  the  close  of 
the  month  of  December,  in  each  year,  a  detailed  report 
of  all  the  cash  or  merchandise  received,  or  drafts  drawn, 
and  of  all  payments  of  every  kind ;  together  with  a  par¬ 
ticular  statement  of  the  nature,  condition  and  estimated 
value  of  the  property  belonging  to  the  Mission,  and  of 
the  account  of  each  individual  Missionary  and  Assistant, 
duly  audited  by  a  Committee  appointed  for  the  purpose. 

He  is  to  keep,  in  official  books  procured  at  Mission  ex¬ 
pense,  and  to  be  the  property  of  the  Board,  clear  and 


14 


MANUAL. 


correct  accounts  of  all  receipts  and  payments,  and  to 
have  vouchers  of  the  latter  ;  his  books  must  be  open  to 
the  inspection  of  other  members  of  the  Mission,  or  any 
one  of  them  at  any  time ;  and  his  accounts  must  be 
audited  by  a  Committee  of  two  members  appointed  each 
year  for  this  purpose, 

3.  The  Treasurer  or  disbursing  officer  of  a  Mission, 
will  on  no  account  be  permitted  to  exceed  in  expendi¬ 
ture  for  such  Mission,  the  amount  annually  appiopriated 
for  the  support  of  the  same,  except  in  imperative  circum¬ 
stances,  and  then  only  with  the  consent  of  the  Mission, 
and  subject  to  the  final  judgment  of  the  Executive  Com¬ 
mittee. 

4.  In  general,  drafts  upon  the  Treasurer  of  the  Board 
by  individual  MissicnariO'S,  are  not  desirable.  If  any 
Missionary  wishes  to  remit  to  this  country  in  payment 
of  bills  or  for  goods  ordered  or  other  purpose,  he  is 
requested  to  do  so,  if  possible,  through  the  Mission 
Treasurer,  using  his  drafts  upon  the  Treasurer  of  the 
Board. 

5.  No  real  estate  shall  be  purchased  by  a  mem¬ 
ber  of  any  Mission  for  the  account  of  the  same, 
without  the  express  permission  of  the  Committee  pre¬ 
viously  obtained ;  and  all  property  purchased  shall  be 
held  in  trust  for,  and  in  the  name  of  the  General  Synod 
of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America. 

6.  All  unexpended  balances  shall  be  placed  to  the 
credit  of  the  Board  at  the  close  of  the  year.  Any  ap¬ 
propriation  for  general  use  not  required  during  the 
year  shall  lapse  at  its  close,  and  be  returned  to  the  Treas¬ 
ury. 

No  funds  of  the  Board  shall  be  loaned  to  outside 
parties. 

7.  Each  Mission  shall  prepare,  at  its  annual  meeting  in 
every  year,  a  careful  estimate  of  the  probable  necessary 
expenses  for  the  work  of  the  year  ensuing,  specifying  the 
different  objects  in  detail,  to  be  forwarded  so  as  to  reach 
the  Board  not  later  than  the  first  of  October.  Each 
station  in  the  Mission  shall  prepare  its  estimate  of  ex¬ 
penditures  for  the  3'^ear.  These  shall  be  submitted  to  and 
carefully  examined  by  the  Mission  atthe  annual  meeting, 
and  from  these,  when  approved,  the  general  estimates 
shall  be  made. 

These  estimates  when  approved,  and  the  amounts  ap¬ 
propriated  by  the  Board,  will  govern  the  expenditure  of 
the  year,  and  must  not  be  exceeded.  Should  necessities 
that  cannot  be  foreseen  arise  during  the  year,  calling  for 


MANUAL. 


15 


increased  expenditure,  these  should  with  the  approval  of 
the  Mission,  be  reported  to  the  Board,  unless  funds  to 
meet  them  are  provided  from  other  sources  than  the 
Treasury  of  the  Board. 

8.  In  all  Missions  of  over  two  missionaries,  a  letter 
should  be  sent  to  the  Board  once  a  month,  giving  news 
of  the  missionary  work,  that  the  Board  may  be  kept  con¬ 
stantly  and  fully  informed  of  its  state  and  progress. 

9.  Each  Mission  shall  prepare  an  annual  report  which 
shall  give,  in  as  brief  and  clear  a  manner  as  possible,  a 
view  of  the  work  in  the  entire  field  during  the  year. 
This  report  should,  in  all  cases,  be  sent  so  as  to  reach 
the  Board  not  later  than  the  first  of  March.  It  should  pre¬ 
sent,  in  tabular  statement,  the  number  and  names  of 
stations  and  out-stations,  churches,  schools  (Sunday,  day 
and  boarding),  the  number  of  baptisms  during  the  year, 
of  communicants,  received  on  confession  and  letter — 
dismissions  and  total  in  communion,  scholars  (distin¬ 
guishing  between  boarding,  day  and  Sunday  scholars, 
male  and  female),  with  a  list  of  the  Missionaries,  Assis¬ 
tant  Missionaries,  Native  Pastors,  Helpers  and  Teachers 
at  each  station,  and  such  other  items  of  information  as 
may  be  deemed  valuable. 

.  10.  At  the  end  of  the  first  and  second  years  after  the 
arrival  of  a  new  Missionary,  the  Mission  is  requested  to 
make  a  report  to  the  Board  in  regard  to  his  progress  in 
the  acquisition  of  the  native  language,  and  his  knowdedge 
and  skill  in  its  practical  use.  It  should  be  understood 
that  the  ability  to  write  and  speak  the  language  with 
reasonable  ease  and  accuracy  is  an  indispensable  qualifi¬ 
cation  for  Missionary  work,  without  which  no  one  can 
expect  to  continue  in  the  service  of  the  Board  or  the  en¬ 
joyment  of  its  support. 

11.  A  majority  of  Missionaries  and  male  Assistant 
Missionaries  in  any  Mission  shall,  in  their  regular  meet¬ 
ings,  decide  all  questions  that  may  arise  in  regard  to 
their  proceedings  and  conduct  in  which  the  Mission  is  in¬ 
terested,  the  decision  being  subject  to  the  revision  of  the 
Executive  Committee.  At  such  meetings  every  Mission¬ 
ary  and  male  Assistant  Missionary  present,  having  arrived 
at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  is  entitled  to  a  vote. 

12.  No  Missionary  shall  interfere  with  the  local  or  civil 
affairs  of  those  among  whom  he  labors. 

13.  A  friendly  intercourse  shall  be  maintained  with 
other  Christian  societies  in  this  and  other  lands,  which 
are  engaged  in  the  benevolent  design  of  propagating 
the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ. 


CONSTITUTION 

OF  THE 

BOARD  OF  FOREIGN  MISSIONS, 

Approved  by  the  General  Synod,  October,  i8^j; 

WITH 

RULES  OF  BUSINESS. 


^vcamblic. 

Whereas  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  the  Divine  Head  of  the 
Church,  has  enjoined  on  all  His  people  the  duty  of  giving  the 
Gospel  to  every  creature  ;  and.  Whereas  the  condition  of  all  men 
without  the  Gospel  is  one  of  exposure  to  eternal  death,  as  well 
as  of  present  suffering  and  sorrow — Therefore,  under  the  con¬ 
viction  of  duty,  and  with  earnest  desire  for  the  best  interests  of 
our  fellow  men  here  and  hereafter — the  General  Synod  of  the 
Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church,  acknowledging  with  grati¬ 
tude  what  God  has  been  pleased  to  accomplish  by  the  Church, 
deems  it  important  in  entering  on  a  distinct  and  separate  man¬ 
agement  and  support  of  Foreign  Missions,  to  re-model  its  Board 
of  Foreign  Missions,  with  a  view  to  greater  efficiency  and  a  more 
faithful  conformity  to  the  Divine  requirement,  and  adopts  the 
following,  viz  : 


Art.  I.  The  management  and  control  of  the  Foreign  Missions 
of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church,  as  well  as  the  institu¬ 
tion  of  new  Missions,  and  the  appointment  of  Missionaries,  shall 
be  committed  to  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  subject  to  the 
revision  and  instruction  of  the  General  Synod. 

Art.  2.  This  Board  shall  not  be  restricted  in  the  sending  of 
Missionaries  to  any  part  of  the  world,  or  to  any  class  of  persons 
who  are  without  a  pure  Gospel,  when  Divine  Providence  opens 
the  way  to  them,  and  the  men  and  means  are  furnished. 


MANUAL. 


17 


Art.  3,  The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  shall  consist  of  twenty- 
four  members  (of  whom  one-third  shall  be  chosen  at  each  annual 
meeting  of  the  General  Synod),  with  the  Corresponding  Secretary 
and  Treasurer,  who  shall  be  ex-officio  members. 

Art.  4.  The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  shall  hold  its  first  meet- 
ing  each  year  as  soon  as  practicable  after  the  meeting  of  the  Gen¬ 
eral  Synod,  at  which  the  officers  for  the  year  shall  be  chosen. 

Art.  5.  The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  shall  have  authority  to 
employ  ordained  Ministers  and  Licentiates,  the  wife  of  each  of 
whom  shall  be  regarded  as  an  Assistant  Missionary  ;  Physicians, 
Colporteurs,  Printers,  unmarried  Female  Teachers,  all  to  be  at  the 
time  of  appointment  members  in  communion  with  the  Reformed 
Protestant  Dutch  Church,  or,  having  taken  the  measures  necessary 
to  become  such — and  all  proper  agencies  for  raising  means  in  our 
Churches  for  the  support  of  the  Missions,  and  the  use  of  the  Press, 
both  at  home  and  abroad. 

Art.  6.  Any  person  by  the  contribution  of  Fifty  Dollars  at  one 
time  may  become  a  member  for  life  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Mis¬ 
sions,  and  shall  have  the  privilege  of  meeting  with  the  Board,  and 
participating  in  its  deliberations,  without  being  entitled  to  vote. 

Art.  7.  The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  shall  submit  to  the  Gen¬ 
eral  Synod,  at  each  annual  meeting,  a  faithful  report  of  its  acts, 
with  the  annual  account  of  the  Treasurer,  properly  audited,  and 
submit  for  approval  such  plans  and  measures  as  may  require  the 
specific  attention  of  the  General  Synod.  The  Corresponding  Sec¬ 
retary  shall  be  present  at  each  meeting  of  the  Synod,  to  make  such 
explanations  as  may  be  called  for. 

Art.  8.  It  shall  be  the  steady  aim  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Mis¬ 
sions  to  secure  as  early  as  may  be  wise  the  organization  by  the 
Missionaries  of  Churches,  Classes,  and  other  Church  Courts,  ac¬ 
cording  to  the  order  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church. 

Art.  9.  The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  shall  meet  at  least  quar¬ 
terly,  at  such  hour  and  place  as  it  may  itself  agree  on,  and  when 
convened,  seven  members  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

Art.  10.  The  Board  shall  have  power  to  fill,  vacancies,  which 
may  occur  in  the  progress  of  the  year, — the  persons  chosen  to  hold 
such  place  until  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  Synod. 

Art.  II.  Extra  meetings  of  the  Board  may  be  called  on  the  vote 
of  the  Executive  Committee,  or  the  written  request  of  any  three 
members. 


pities  0f  ^nsiwess. 

Art.  I.  This  Board  shall  convene  as  early  as  practicable  after 
each  annual  meeting  of  the  General  Synod. 

Art.  2.  At  such  meeting  the  Board  shall  choose  by  ballot,  a 
President,  a  Vice-President,  Recording  Secretary,  a  Correspond¬ 
ing  Secretary,  a  Treasurer  and  an  Executive  Committee. 

Art.  3.  The  meetings  shall  be  held  at  least  quarterly,  to  wit: 
On  the  second  Wednesday  of  July,  October,  January,  April,  at 


18 


MANUAL. 


such  place  and  hour  as  fixed  by  its  own  vote,  and  at  such  meet¬ 
ings  seven  members  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

Art.  4.  The  Board  at  its  several  meetings  shall  review  and  de¬ 
cide  upon  all  the  proceedings  of  its  officers,  and  of  the  Executive 
Committee;  direct  to  such  measures  as  it  may  deem  important, 
and  present  an  Annual  Report  of  its  doings  to  the  General  Synod. 

Art.  5.  The  Board  shall  leave  all  matters  properly  ecclesiasti¬ 
cal  to  the  Classes  to  which  they  belong,  or  may  refer  the  same  to 
the  General  Synod. 

Art.  6.  The  seat  of  operations  of  the  Board  shall  be  the  City 
of  New  York. 


THE  CORRESPONDING  SECRETARY. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Corresponding  Secretary  to  con¬ 
duct  all  the  correspondence  with  the  Missions  and  Churches 
(excepting  that  which  belongs  to  the  Treasurer);  to  keep  files  of 
all  letters  and  papers  ;  to  arrange  and  bring  up  all  such  business 
as  requires  the  attention  of  the  Board  and  the  Executive  Com¬ 
mittee,  and  Submit  such  documents  as  may  be  necessary  for  the 
information  of  either  ;  to  keep  memoranda  of  his  work,  which 
may  be  referred  to  by  either  when  desired ;  to  prepare  and  sub¬ 
mit  the  Annual  Report  to  the  Board,  attend  the  annual  meeting 
of  the  General  Synod;  to  visit  as  circumstances  may  allow  the 
Theological  Seminary  at  New  Brunswick,  Rutgers,  Union  and 
other  Colleges,  where  the  young  men  of  our  Church  receive  their 
education,  with  a  view  to  securing  suitable  young  men  for  the 
Missionary  service,  and  to  take  the  oversight  of  such  periodicals 
as  may  be  issued,  in  connection  with  such  others  as  the  Board 
may  appoint. 


THE  TREASURER. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Treasurer  to  receive  and  keep  faith¬ 
ful  accounts  of  all  moneys  received  and  paid ;  the  former  to  be 
published  monthly  in  the  papers  of  the  Church  and  of  the  Board  ; 
to  keep  a  record  of  all  life  members,  and  furnish  necessary  cer¬ 
tificates;  to  take  charge  of  and  forward  to  Missionaries  all  arti¬ 
cles  sent  to  him  from  the  Churches,  or  from  individuals  ;  to  pur¬ 
chase  and  forward  to  Missions  such  as  they  may  order,  charging 
the  same  to  the  annual  account  of  the  party  ordering  them  ;  to 
submit  at  each  stated  meeting  of  the  Board  and  Executive  Com¬ 
mittee  the  state  of  the  funds ;  to  present  at  each  meeting  bills  re¬ 
quiring  the  action  of  either,  and  only  pay  the  same  when  so  or¬ 
dered  by  either ;  to  bring  up  for  consideration  in  due  season  what 
remittances  may  be  needed  for  the  Missions,  or  what  exchanges 
or  bills  may  be  required, — but  he  shall  negotiate  none  without  the 
order  of  the  Executive  Committee,  and  with  the  advice  and  ap¬ 
probation  of  the  Finance  Committee,  and  shall  assume  no  obli¬ 
gations  without  their  direction  or  assent. 


MANUAL. 


19 


He  shall  keep  all  notes,  bonds,  deeds,  and  other  evidences  ot 
property,  invest  or  deposit  money  as  may  be  directed,  with  the 
approbation  of  the  Finance  Committee ;  exhibit  his  books,  ac¬ 
counts  and  vouchers,  and  evidences  of  property  whenever  re¬ 
quired  by  the  Board  or  the  Executive  Committee ;  submit  an 
annual  statement  of  his  accounts  to  the  Board  at  its  meeting  im¬ 
mediately  preceding  the  annual  meeting  of  the  General  Synod  ; 
conduct  the  correspondence  relating  immediately  to  his  depart¬ 
ment,  and  perform  such  acts  as  are  necessary  to  the  faithful  exe¬ 
cution  of  the  duties  of  his  office. 

He  shall  enter  in  a  distinct  record  the  appropriations  which 
may  be  made  from  year  to  year  for  each  Mission  and  Missionary— 
for  his  own  use,  and  that  of  the  Board  or  Executive  Committee,  or 
the  General  Synod, 

THE  EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE. 

Arl.  I.  The  Executive  Committee  shall  consist  of  five  clergy¬ 
men  and  five  laymen,  together  with  the  Corresponding  Secretary 
and  Treasurer ;  shall  meet  at  least  monthly,  at  such  hour  and 
place  as  it  may  itself  appoint,  and  five  members  shall  constitute  a 
quorum. 

Art,  2.  The  Executive  Committee  shall  be  charged  with  the  ex¬ 
ecution  of  the  resolutions  and  instructions  of  the  General  Synod, 
and  of  the  Board  ;  shall  select  fields  of  labor,  appoint  the  Mission¬ 
aries,  direct  their  labors,  and  fix  their  compensation ;  shall  give 
permissions  to  return,  or  recall  any ;  authorize  the  payment  of 
moneys — appoint  and  direct  agents,  make  all  necessary  arrange¬ 
ments  through  the  Board  of  Publication  for  the  printing  of  such 
documents  or  papers  as  they  may  deem  necessary;  shall  keep 
records  of  all  its  proceedings,  and  lay  the  same  quarterly  before 
the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  for  its  approval  or  correction. 

Art.  3.  While  the  Executive  Committee  are  not  responsible  for 
what  by  the  Constitution  of  the  Church  belongs  to  the  Classis,  ^nd 
shall  not  interfere  in  the  same — it  shall  have  entire  control  over 
Missions  (though  a  Classis  is  organized),  and  reserve  to  itself  to  de¬ 
cide  on  the  course  and  policy  of  each  Missionary,  or  any  laborer 
receiving  its  aid ;  and  withhold  or  modify  the  same,  subject  to  the 
Board  and  the  General  Synod. 

Art.  4.  For  the  greater  success  of  its  work,  the  Executive  Com¬ 
mittee  shall  appoint  from  its  own  number  a  Committee  of  Finance 
of  three  members,  who  shall  be  the  counselors  of  the  Treasurer  in 
all  questions  of  investment,  legacies,  and  negotiations  of  drafts,  and 
without  whose  approbation  he  shall  not  act  in  the  same.  They 
shall  audit  the  Treasurer’s  annual  account,  bring  forward  such 
measures  and  plans  from  time  to  time  as  may  secure  suitable 
pecuniary  means  for  the  missionary  work,  watch  over  the  financial 
interests  of  the  Board,  and  report  at  every  stated  meeting  of  the 
Executive  Committee.  They  shall  examine  all  estimates  for  ap¬ 
propriations  to  Missions  and  Missionaries,  and  report  their  judg¬ 
ment  concerning  them. 


20 


MANUAL. 


Art.  5.  As  the  General  Synod  has  its  Board  of  Publication,  the 
Executive  Committee  shall  in  all  cases  where  practicable,  make 
through  a  suitable  Committee,  arrangements  with  such  Board  for 
its  printing. 

Art.  6.  The  Recording  Secretary  shall  keep  a  faithful  and  par¬ 
ticular  record  of  all  the  acts  of  the  Board,  carefully  file  and  pre¬ 
serve  all  documents  ordered  to  be  filed,  issue  the  necessary  notices 
for  all  stated  and  special  meetings,  and  submit  his  record  at  each 
stated  meeting  of  the  Board. 

Art.  7.  The  order  of  business,  both  in  the  Board  and  in  the  Ex¬ 
ecutive  Committee,  shall  be  as  follows  : 

1.  Prayer. 

2.  Reading  of  the  Minutes. 

3.  Statement  of  the  Treasurer. 

4.  Communications  and  business  of  the  Corresponding  Secre¬ 
tary. 

5.  Reports  of  Committees. 

6.  Miscellaneous  Business. 

7.  Prayer. 

8.  Adjournment. 


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